Throw-Back Thursday: Vintage Sewing Books, Stitch By Stitch

Today my thoughts are revolving around these vintage sewing books my Granny gave me, many years ago, as her and my Grandpop began downsizing to move to Florida. There are 20 total books in the series. Unfortunately I have books 2 through 20 and am missing the first one. I even have the index booklet. I'm sure the first one gave all the basic of sewing, knitting, crocheting all all the other crafts featured, and therefore must have been used so often it was displaced from the rest! But of course - I can't be too sure of that. All I know is, it's gone.

Commadore keyboard Image from wikipedia

These books remind me of the days when I sat on a Commodore 64 playing "pong" before my brother took the keyboard apart thinking he could put it back together. Or of the salesmen that would walk door to door and town to town selling sets of Encyclopedias because we didn't have the internet for research homework. And reminds me of the Craft kit projects, you could pay for through the mail, one project a week or month that came with a binder to put it all in (and divider tabs). Those were the days. And those days are gone, but at least I still have the books. Something to remember "those days" by!

I wonder if my girls will remember going to book store and libraries when they are older. I wonder if their children will ever walk through the doors of a book store or library?! Wouldn't that be so sad.

These books are treasures to me. Sure they are so severely outdated...but everything old becomes new again right? Like wearing a belt on top of a plaid shirt and Farrah Fawcett hair! I can't say I look through them often, nor do I gain much inspiration from them for current projects, but they are just so cool to have. A long time ago, my Granny used these books to make things for herself, her children, her grandchildren, and friends too! Somethings are worth holding onto! What are you holding onto? Do you have special treasures from the past that tell a story? Please share it!

Have a great day, minute by minute and stitch by stitch!

These Stitch by Stitch books were printed by Torstar Books, in Belgium 1984, 1985

Throw-Back Thursday: Rain Man

This little man stands out in the pretend rain and calls for something. I'm not sure what he's saying. I don't know where it's from and who's it was. I don't even know if he has a name.

I found it about 20 years ago, buried deep in the sand on a beach in Long Island NY and I've kept him all this time in a little box filled with other small trinkets saved from the fun summers during my High School years!

Isn't it so strange the things we save and the things we remember about them!? And amazingly the things we forget without the physical evidence? This little guys was too cute to leave behind. I feel sorry for the little tike that most likely lost him. What have you held onto? Do you have any fun treasures sitting in a box, in a deep dark a closet waiting to be re-discovered? Share it with us!

Happy Thursday! I hope you all have a great weekend! I'll be posting my great big HUGE news next week! Keep your eyes opened and come celebrate with me!

Throw-Back Thursday: My Twin - 2 Really is Beautiful!

I had to do it....I had to post a picture of my twin sister and I wearing the "official" "2 is Beautiful" shirts that our mom designed and had printed so many years ago! This is my throw back moment for the week.

Guess which one is me in the comments below...I just might have to award a prize to one lucky commenter that gets it right! (must be posted by Saturday midnight - winner will be chosen on Monday!)

This is also the official name of my LLC and about 6 years ago when I went to "establish" my company, I asked my mom if I could buy her logo from her and use that name. She said that was fine - but made me pay $1. (I love my mom!)

There's always a story...so here's the story behind the name....My mom was a part of a Mothers of Multiples group in Texas! The name of the group was 2 is Beautiful. We actually went to Kindergarten with another set of twins and 1 set of Triplets! How cool is that! I guess it was something in that BIG Texas water tower!? lol! After we left Texas the group slowly disbanned as we all grew up and apart.I don't think we have any of the original t-shirts left that my mom had printed - but pretty soon I will offer them in my Etsy shop!

Thanks for visiting - Keep checking back for more awesome Throw-Back posts and tutorials!!

Throw-Back Thursday: My Little Doll

Today's throw-back thursday is this adorable little doll from when I was a little girl. I know it's Friday - but I've been sewing like crazy and typed it last night thinking it was Wednesday night! Oh well!

She sits on my craft room shelf and inspires me to create that childlike joy in all I make at my sewing machine! The sad thing is - I can't remember her name. My twin sister has one too (maybe had one too - I'm not sure she knows where it is).

This is one of those toys or dolls I look at often and say "They just don't make things the way they used to!" She has velcro on the inside tips of her hands so when you put them together she would be praying. The hat didn't come off, because her hair didn't cover her head. She has some craft pellets in her arms, legs and belly, so she would always sit just right! She was sewn so well!

Oh I just love looking at her. Do you have a favorite doll or toy from your childhood that you still have? Share your story in the comments below! Inquiring minds want to know! Have a great weekend - I'm still sewing for this awesome project - I just can't wait to tell you all about it!

Throw-Back Thursday: Ribbon Barrettes

I've been thinking of this post for a long time. My girls love their hair accessories so I started thinking about what I used in my hair when I was little. The memories of my childhood came flooding back and instantly I thought of these ribbon barrettes and had to make them some.

 

Yesterday when my girls got home their eyes lit up with pure excitement that I could make these barrettes for them. They started talking about more colors and immediately wanted to wear them. They couldn't believe I actually could buy barrettes like these when I was little, that - it's just the way it was. I have so many more things to share, photos & tutorials of my past. So many that I got a little over-excited and created a new "day" of the week to focus on it! It's called "Throw-Back Thursday" and I hope you'll come back to visit every week and share some memories with me!

OK - I digress...Here's your step by step photo tutorial to help you make some fun barrettes in any color combination and ribbon style to suit your fancy! Enjoy!

You will need : 2 large barrettes and 2 pieces of ribbon 21" long for each barrette. Flat & Ric-Rac or all flat.

Start by placing the ribbons under the top hook of the barrette and tie once.

 

Immediately begin to criss-cross and weave the ribbons through the center space

Continue to the very bottom of the barrette, scrunching up the ribbon to the top, to make sure you really weave and fill in as much as you can as it curves underneath

Once the weaving is completed, tie the ends right over left and let over right into a knot.

Now grab both ribbons and tie them into a single knot together to ensure it won't loosed over time.

I hope you'll come back to visit soon. I'd love to know what you think of Throw-Back Thursday, please leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! Have an awesome day!